S. Lee Homoki
Bible Teacher, Evangelist, Executive Director, Editor

Mr. Homoki was raised in the home of missionary parents, "Nevada Steve" and Esther, and lived in Pennsylvania, New York and in the heart of the Navajo Indian Reservation in Arizona. He began his preaching at the age of 18 and for 21 years pastored churches in Arizona, California, Ohio and Indiana before beginning the ministries of Bible Doctrines to Live By, In in 1980. He brings with him a rich background of colorful experience in the pastorate from those years spend on the Navajo Indian Reservation. Over the last 20 years his evangelistic ministry, Crossroads Crusades, has takes him into hundreds of churches with the message of God's saving grace.

The Book of Ephesians is one of three great doctrinal epistles written by the Apostle Paul. In Romans believers are taught that we are justified in Christ, seeing we have been crucified, buried and resurrected with Christ. In Ephesians believers are taught that we are sanctified in Christ, seeing we are now seated with Christ in the Heavenlies. And in 1 Thessalonians believers are taught that we are glorified, seeing that we shall be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. All of the other Pauline Epistles, though they contain much doctrine, seem to have been written to remedy either doctrinal or practical failure.
As an aid to our study, it is helpful to recognize that the Book of Ephesians is divided into two parts. The first three chapters have to do with the believer’s prosperity as found in the grace of God, and the last three chapters have to do with the be-liever’s performance in the grace of God.
Since this series of studies will deal only with the first three chapters of the Book of Ephesians, we will need only to title the first three chapters:

1.   “The Grace of God Planned” (Chapter one);
2.   “The Grace of God Applied” (Chapter two);
3.   “The Grace of God Revealed” (Chapter three).

The Book of Ephesians may be likened to a beautiful, snowcapped mountain range. As such, it is the highest mountain range found in the Bible, since it reaches into “the heavenlies.”  In my opinion, the very highest peak of this beautiful mountain is Ephesians 2:8-10:

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Any traveler, who moves across “America the Beautiful,” will be impressed and awe-struck the very first time his eyes fall upon the beautiful, breathtaking, snowcapped Rocky Mountains of Colorado! It is a refreshing and never-to-be-forgotten sight! In like manner, the sensibilities of our soul and spirit are touched, as we travel over the terrain of Scripture, the first time our attention is arrested by the mountain peaks of grace! We find it to be breath-taking and refreshing and our hearts are compelled to applaud and sing, “Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me.”
Oh, what a wonderful thought that a member of Adam’s fallen race - one that deserves nothing but the wrath and condemnation of God, one “dead in trespasses and sins” - should be offered the gift of forgiveness and eternal life without any respect to human worthiness - a gift conferred entirely by the empty hand of faith (Rom. 1:18; 3:18; Eph. 2:1). “…Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to Thy cross I cling” (“Rock of Ages”). 
Oh, what joy and gladness come from the gift of salvation and eternal life! I think Abraham demonstrated this ecstasy when he, though he was beyond “hope” and as good as “dead,” received the promise of justification from God Who was able to “quicken the dead” - he “laughed” and gave “glory to God” (Gen. 17:17; Rom. 4:17-23).

WHY? WHY? WHY?
When first we beheld the beauty of this Grace Mountain, and every time we have passed by since, our hearts were filled with wonder! Oh, may we never lose the wonder of it all!
At the same time, a great rush of questions passes through our mind. These are questions like: Why? Why, dear God, did you ever make such a beautiful plan as grace to deal with Your creation? Why this plan and not some other plan? Or, why any plan at all? I think the song writer asked it best:

Who am I that a King would bleed and die for?
Who am I that He should pray “Not My will - Thine” for? The answer I may never know, why He should ever love me so, That to an old rugged cross - He’d go
For who am I?

It may be that we will never fully know the answer to that question this side of Heaven; however, the answer seems to lie in the essence or nature of God. One of God’s major attributes is love (1 Jn. 4:8,16). It would be hard to imagine a God of love with no one to love and no way to love sinners. According to Ephesians 2:4 it seems clear that it is the love of God that gave birth to the plan of grace:

But God, Who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ (by grace ye are saved); And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Eph. 2:4-6).

How do you explain the love of God? How do you plumb its depths? I believe God did what He did simply because of Who and What He is. He did what He did just because He wanted to! God is the greatest lover in the universe. In the language of our text we are told that God’s work of grace was:

1.   “according to the good pleasure of His will” (Eph. 1:5);
2.   “according to His good pleasure” (Eph. 1:9);
3.   “according to the purpose of His will” (Eph. 1:11; 3:11).

HOW? HOW? HOW?
God’s plan of grace was such a gigantic undertaking that it seems to dwarf all of the other creative acts of God. In fact, Ephesians 2:10 says that grace and its accomplishments are a “masterpiece” (POY-AY-MAH-Gk.), created in Christ Jesus. So we quite naturally question: How? How could God accomplish this? What were His resources?
The answer is found both in God’s omnipotence and His riches. In Ephesians 1:19 and 3:20, we are told that it was “according to the working of His mighty power.” Elsewhere, we are told that it was accomplished:

1.   “according to the riches of His grace” (Eph. 1:7; 2:7);
2.   “according to the riches of His mercy” (Eph. 2:4);
3.   “according to the riches of His glory” (Eph. 3:16).

How rich is God? He is very rich! Thankfully, God does not give out of His riches but rather “according to His riches.” God told the Apostle Paul His “grace was sufficient” to supply his need (2 Cor. 12:9).
Charles Spurgeon, the Prince of Preachers, spoke of the little mouse living in the gran-aries of Egypt who, after seven years of plenty, feared he might die of famine. Joseph, the ruler, might have said, “Cheer up, little mouse, my granaries are sufficient for thee.” The “grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant” (1 Tim. 1:14) to develop the plan and workings of grace with plenty left over!

WHO? WHO? WHO?
Now, we ask, “For whom then was this great plan of grace designed?” Is it really possible that we, as members of Adam’s fallen race, are the objects of such grace? In amazement, we lift up our voice with the psalmist who asked, “What is man, that Thou art mindful of him and the Son of Man that Thou visitest him?” The answering echo from this great Mountain of Grace is, “Yes! Yes! It is for you dear sinner” (1 Tim. 1:15), and especially for you who are in Christ.
The riches mentioned above are unmistakably identified as the “unsearch-able [untraceable] riches of Christ” (Eph. 3:8). These resources are not only inexhaustible but also not to be found in the preaching of the Old Testament prophets. This is not to say that the Old Testament saints did not enjoy or experience God’s grace and glory, but, rather, that they did not know it in all of its fullness as it is now known since the work of Christ on the cross was completed. Nor did they know the far-reaching consequences of that work as revealed to and through the Apostle Paul. The world had never seen such great grace as this! With the revelation of the Mystery, God has now “made known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy which He had afore prepared unto glory - even us [the “Body of Christ” - the “One New Man”] - whom He hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles” (Rom. 9:20-24; Eph. 3:6; Gal. 3:26-29).
 Through God’s grace plan a new ministry of God the Holy Spirit provided a baptizing/identifying work that would position believing Jews and Gentiles “in Christ” (1 Cor. 12:13). This new position is big news! It is mentioned 16 times in Chapter One of Ephesians and 27 times in the Book! Being “in Christ” opens the door to the storehouse of grace blessings.
All of these grace blessings, and much more, are bestowed at the moment of salvation! This seems too good to be true! And, if this were all that came to us through the plan of grace, it would be enough to cause us to rejoice throughout all eternity.

WHAT? WHAT? WHAT?
It is hard to imagine that there can be much more. Yet, “in Christ” all of Heaven’s blessings are at our disposal. What? What? What? Might they be? Now, we know only in part. What cannot be known this side of Heaven must await eternity when God will “show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus” (Eph.  2:7). Herein is the promise that God will someday give believers a guided tour down the hall of Heaven’s ivory palaces so that we can see all the crown jewels of grace.
In the meantime, what may be known and experienced is already revealed in the infallible Word of God. The Apostle Paul has recorded some of that which was revealed to him (2 Cor. 12:1-7; Gal. 1:12; Eph. 3:3). His first comment about the Grace Mountain is like that of a man who sees something that is beautiful, precious, and indescribably wonderful. He cannot contain his exhilaration! He cannot hold back but joyously shouts:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ! (Eph. 1:3).

Here the Apostle Paul declares that God the Father ought to be blessed because He has blessed us. The Greek word for “blessed” or “blessing” is YOO-LO-GEY-TOS. It is the Greek word from which we get our English word eulogy, and it means to “speak well of something or someone.” In other words, Paul is eulogizing God the Father because He has spoken well of us or rather done well for us by His provision of grace. It is a reciprocal act in keeping with the principle, “We love Him because He first loved us” (1 Jn. 4:19).
The blessings which initiated this response are blessings given and produced by God the Holy Spirit. As such, they are “spiritual blessings.” Furthermore, these blessings are found both “in Christ” and “in heavenly places” (Eph. 1:3). (Note also the phrase “in heavenly places” found in 1:20; 2:6; 3:10 and 6:12.)
It is worth pointing out that verses 3 through 14 are all one long sentence. It is as if Paul’s inspiration and excitement had forbidden him to take a breath in his haste to broadcast some of the blessings of grace.  Here, we find that God’s grace:
(1) Elects and Predestinates us (vss. 4a; 5,11). Election and predestination are like two sides of the same coin. What is true of predestination may be applied to the doctrine of election and vice versa. Theologians have argued, without re-solve, the mechanics of these marvelous doctrines; nevertheless, all agree they both begin and end with God. On the other hand, it is reasoned that since this was decreed in eternity past, “before the foundation of the world” (Eph. 1:1; 11; 3:10-11), it must refer to the Corporate Choice of “us” - meaning the Body of Christ - even as the Nation of Israel was elected (Rom. 9:1-10). The Body of Christ, too, upon its revelation, was to function as an agent with special privileges, position and function for the execution of the plan of God, both in time and eternity. Greek scholars tell us that God made this choice “for Himself” - for His own satisfaction!
If the application, as here in Ephesians, is primarily to Corporate Election, then where does Personal Election fit in? In my opinion, Personal Election is the intimate - the up-close part of God’s grace. It is the small picture, while Corporate Election is the distant part of God’s grace - the big picture. Personal Election is warm, emotional and experiential; it is a part of the whole (Body). Corporate Election is doctrinal, theological and non-experiential; it is the whole (Body) and requires no decision or faith to receive, whereas, Personal Election is never independent of personal choice and faith in Christ. We reason then, since Christ is the KHRIS-TOS (gk) - the Anointed, the Elected One (Isa. 42:1-7) - and we are united to Him by the baptism with the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12:12-13), then the moment we believe we share His election blessings as “heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ” (Rom 8:17).
Whatever else may be said or however else election may be explained, there is great comfort in knowing that the elections and callings of God have made us secure in Christ (Rom. 11:29). If God said it, no matter what, God cannot go back on His Word (Num. 23:19; Heb. 6:18). Praise God and give Him Glory!
 (2) Sanctifies us (vs. 4b). The same grace that called us and guaranteed our security is the same that has put the Body of Christ and the individual believer on display as a trophy of grace. God said, “That we should be holy [sanctified] and without blame before Him in love” (Eph. 1:4; 3:10-11). Sanctification, like our election, is the result of being united with Christ. At the point of faith in Christ the very righteousness of Christ is imputed to the believer’s account (2 Cor. 5:21; Rom. 3:21-22). It is for this reason alone that we are called “saints” - as in verse one. Even the worst of believers is now made positionally “holy and without blame before Him.” It was for this reason that we were chosen (cf. Rom. 8:29) and put on public display “to be to the praise of the glory of His grace” (Eph. 1:6). Further, it was God’s pleasure to allow the Holy Angels to see “the manifold wisdom of God” exhibited “by the Church” (Eph. 3:10). Oh, such wonderful grace!
 (3) Adopts us (vs. 5). God has no children that are not born to Him (Jn. 3:3,6-7; 1:12-13 and Titus 3:5-6). Our appreciation for this adoption comes from understanding that the Greek word HWEE-OTH-ES-EE-AH  is a compound word meaning, “to place as an adult son.” The meaning of this word was born out of the ancient cultures, where, during a private or religious festival, a son was publicly declared to be an adult son and given all the rights, privileges and responsibilities that go with adulthood. By way of application, we rejoice to know that at the moment of our spiritual regeneration, we are placed into the family of God with all of the rights, re-sponsibilities and privileges of an adult son. We are privileged to not only be saved by grace, but now to serve Him, worship Him, walk before Him, and to witness about Him.
(4) Accepts us (vs. 6). The believer is embraced in grace. Once we are saved, our reception into the family of God is not some cold, formal, legal recognition, but, rather, a warm, loving, comfortable embrace “in the beloved.” So closely are we held in His arms that we, as His children, may embrace God the Father with the personal greeting ABBA-PATER (gk) - Papa Father. We will never be more accepted by God than we are right now. I believe this is reminiscent of and illustrated by the Father’s embrace of the prodigal son upon his return home.
When I think of our world and its sad and sinful condition and how much the children of Adam so desperately need God’s healing and comforting embrace, I am truly heartbroken. However, most in our modern day will, like the Jews of Christ’s day, refuse His embrace to their own hurt. Christ lamented this, saying, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that kill the prophets, and stone them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings, and ye would not” (Mt. 23:37)!
(5) Redeems us (vs. 7a). The drama of the ancient slave market is our wonderful experience. As slaves to sin, we were in hopeless bondage unless the “bill of debt” could somehow be removed (Rom. 6:23; Col. 2:14). The transaction by which this was possible is called redemption. Redemption is from the Greek word APO-LOO-TRO-SIS  and means, “to be set free from the slave market as the result of a price paid.” Jesus Christ removed that bill of debt that was against us, not by paying silver or gold, but payment was made through “His blood” (Eph. 1:7,14; Col. 1:14; 2:14; Acts 20:28; 1 Cor. 6:20; 1 Pet. 1:18-19).  Now thank God, we are free from the slavery of sin, and free to serve God - never to go back into slavery again (Rom. 6:18; 7:6).
(6) Forgives us (vs. 7b). The immediate result of our redemption is our complete forgiveness (Rom. 8:1), the idea being that the consequences of our sin have been “carried away.” In the Old Testament this was symbolically pictured by the scapegoat, who carried away sin with him into the wilderness (Lev. 16:10). John the Baptist recognized the reality of this symbolism in Jesus Christ and declared Him to be “the Lamb from God which bears away the sin of the world” (Jn. 1:29). The debt against us is not viewed as simply canceled, but is fully paid as announced from the cross. Christ declared, “It is finished – paid in full” (Ps. 103:12; Heb. 10:17)! All of this is “according to the riches of His grace.”
(7) Informs us (vss. 8-10). Here is information about the overall purpose of God. This is inside information that has been hidden from the saints in the past concerning what God is doing in this present day and how it relates to a yet future dispensation: the “Dispensation of the Fullness of Times.” Here, God takes us into His intimate confidence. This is an amazing privilege. We are not left in the dark but enlightened concerning His eternal purpose and our future role in it. Paul refers to this verse in Ephesians Chapter 3:2-6 where he gives more details concerning this mysteri-ous purpose of God:

If ye have heard of the Dispensation of the Grace of God which is given me to you-ward: How that by revelation He made known unto me the Mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the Mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ by the gospel (Eph. 3:2-6).

It is this information and other areas of “wisdom” (Bible doctrine) that keep us from thinking and acting like a slave now that we are free. How wonderful it is to be both free and informed.
(8) Enriches us (vss. 11-12). The key word here is “inheritance.” This is not surprising since much has already been said about God’s riches and His desire to share that with those who are believers (Eph. 1:7,18; 2:4,7). We can only speculate as to what this future inheritance really is. We do know that we shall inherit jointly with Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:17; Eph. 3:6) and that it will take God the Father all of eternity to show us “the exceeding riches of His grace” toward us (Eph. 2:7). Verse 12 implies that this in-heritance will be so great in us and toward us that believers will live to the “praise of His glory” throughout all eternity. Just think of it! Here we were nothing and nobodies, outcasts, ungodly and enemies of God; yet, He blesses us with a great inheritance! Grace greater than all our sins! 
(9) Seals us (vss. 13-14): It is often said that something is “signed, sealed and delivered.” The “sealing” of God the Holy Spirit closely parallels what we mean by this expression. A seal confirms ownership and authenticates the object to which it is attached as being genuine. Furthermore, it is a guarantee of safe arrival. How wonderful that all believers are given this pledge from God that we belong to Him and that both we and our inheritance are destined to safely arrive in eternity.

CONCLUSION
We have been privileged to look upon our wonderful “Grace Mountain.” God’s bright light of inspiration and revelation has been focused upon this mountain. We have been fortunate to gaze upon it, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to see it with both our head and heart!! How very rich we as believers are!